Thunderstorms forecast for State

Hyderabad: In a warning to Andhra Pradesh, the met department bulletin said on Sunday that thunderstorms with lightning are likely to lash on September 17 at isolated places in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. It said heavy rain was very likely to occur at isolated places in the coastal districts on September 20.

According to the bulletin, the thunderstorms and heavy rain are attributed to the upper air cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Martaban and its neighbourhood lying over the east-central Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, a low pressure area is very likely to develop over the adjoining north Bay around September 18. The bulletin said it is likely to become more marked subsequently. An upper air cyclonic circulation lies over north coastal Andhra and its neighbourhood. A trough runs from this circulation to north Tamil Nadu.

The upper air cyclonic circulation over Rayalaseema and its neighbourhood has become less marked. Meanwhile, during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, the Southwest Monsoon was weak in the coastal districts and normal in Rayalaseema.

Heavy rain occurred at isolated places in Chittoor and Kadapa districts. While there was rain at a few places in Rayalaseema, isolated showers occurred in coastal Andhra. The chief amounts of rainfall (in cm) in the State were: Kuppam (Chittoor) 8, Chinnamandem (Kadapa) 7 and Pakala (Chittoor) 5.